I tried SKYCONNECT! (first impressions and setup)

I hope you enjoyed this first look at the #HomeAssistant #SkyConnnect!
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My review of the HA Yellow: • Home Assistant YELLOW ...
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SkyConnect: www.home-assis...
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[@Grovion]

Got mine some weeks ago and migrated all my IKEA devices using the tradfri Gateway over to ZHA and I am really impressed by the ease of use. It's much better and easier.

[@makeitworktech]

Awesome! Yeah a coordinator is much better than some manufacturer's gateway!

[@elmaslisto]

Hi, can you ensure this will be the replace for ikea controler? Can we still expose the ikea devices to homekit throught home assistant?

[@markloughtonUK]

Are there ever firmware updates to do on the ZigBee devices and if so do you need the manufacturer's hub for this?

[@makeitworktech]

@@elmaslisto it is a ZigBee radio. Most of not all Ikea ZigBee devices work with HA

[@makeitworktech]

@@markloughtonUK it's up to the mfgs to work with Navy Casa to have the updates done via HA. Otherwise, I'm not sure, how it's done

[@Phelper99]

I'll pay a couple extra bucks for one that also includes ZWave. Edit: Until then, I'll just stick to zigbee/zwave devices. I don't see the benefit of matter yet.

[@makeitworktech]

I agree, Matter doesn't matter to me quite yet. I'll wait until it's robust to get into it. Have you seen the Nortek HUSBZB-1? It has Zigbee + Z-Wave, but Z-Wave only for the US.

[@HATipsByLarry]

@@makeitworktech I have this zigbee/zwave stick and it has worked perfectly for me as long as you use a extender cable as you described in your video, by the way good job explaining why you need a extender cable to everyone. 😁

[@makeitworktech]

Yeah, mine is still running like a champ! Thanks! There was a report I found a few years ago from Intel that explains this fact about USB 3.0 ports.

[@MikeHarris1984]

The only one that has zwave and zigbee doesn't work on zigbee4mqtt. So I have to use a zigbee stick and my original silicon labs zigbee/zwave stick(just using zwave on it now) because I have zigbee devices that must use zigbee2mqtt since they don't 100% follow zigbee standards (aqara) and found out after I purchased a bunch and kept having them drop off.

[@Phelper99]

@@makeitworktech yep that's what I use. I just won't replace it unless there was a matter stick that also did zwave and ZigBee.

[@ParcoUpchurch]

I am new to HA with no hubs since all my devices are Wi-Fi and working well. I see that as I get into HA, I want motion sensors like the Everything One. I have no hub, so thanks for this video. I will get me a SkyConnect. I am still very new, so I think this is a perfect match for me.

[@makeitworktech]

Glad this helped!

[@Furao80]

Does this make having a separate caseta hub unnecessary?

[@mussen1876]

Thanks Aaron. Are you able to do a video about the HA hub at 0:34 ? Looks like a nice case and fan setup. Thanks

[@Aurleis]

Great video, thank you. I also 👍your smart buttons video. 2:09 - Pro tip: if your network router uses USB 3.0, make sure to switch it to 2.0. I had a massive issue where a number of my devices were going unavailable. In fairness, my router is located somewhat close to my HA Blue, but farther away than your typical USB extension cables.

[@classicalmusic2425]

Please do a video on PIP for TV and multiple videos on single screen and videos following user to different rooms.

[@theimpulse77]

I was considering getting this one now to make migration easier for the future. Looks like it's stupidly simple so no reason for that at the moment. Thanks!

[@makeitworktech]

No problem! It was simple for me, and hopefully the same for others!

[@vimvigour3327]

Can you explain the practical differences between Zigbee, ZHA, and Thread?

[@makeitworktech]

Zigbee and Thread are protocols, and ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation) is a Zigbee device management program within Home Assistant. Zigbee and Thread are both mesh-type networks, but Thread is far more nimble because there can be more than one "border routers", where Zigbee can only have one. Everything Smart Home has an excellent series explaining the differences between different protocols. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnumZaeEmpWCiZY&t

[@Omobilo]

Nice. Getting one of these skyconnects. What zigbee hub you recommend at a distance over eth cable? Need a remote zigbee network setup (boiler room). Zigbee Mesh wont do in-between.

[@makeitworktech]

Hmmmm, I've never tried one over eth! ZigStar I've seen used I think.

[@JayMartinez]

Wondering if the existing thread under my services pages for HA green should be deleted prior to installation of my skyconnect? I use a lot of HomeKit stuff on my network. Getting skyconnect primarily to connect my Aqara devices.

[@NathanBudd]

Is this the simplest way to setup HA now then? I've been watching videos and trying to workout what hardware I'll need to get going, so perhaps a "from scratch" tutorial would be useful with a Pi, this device and a few different devices from other manufacturers.

[@makeitworktech]

Simplest way that I know of!

[@SBinVancouver]

I'd have to know how straightforward it is to migrate from a Z2M/Sonoff dongle-P.

[@sirsubliminal]

Looks pretty straight forward. I dont, however have a free usb port, 1 used for zwave (99% of my devices are here), 1 for ssd and one with extensioncord to the current Conbee II stick. To migrate do I have to plugin Sky connect in an empty usb or can I do this using the same usb? Maybe it is just easier for me with 9 zigbee aqaras to just remove them all and redo everything with skyconnect?

[@makeitworktech]

You can just use the same USB port. I'd try to migrate rather before removing them all and redoing them. If there's an issue migrating, then you could just remove them all.

[@simonknight2973]

Did you ever migrate the full mesh network to Sky Connect? Interested to hear if you feel this is the right dongle to go for now you’ve had it a while? My needs would be to use it for zigbee and also as my only thread border router for some non compatible matter devices from Eve.

[@makeitworktech]

I actually ended up going to the Sonoff 3.0 Dongle. It has the best review regarding range and it has been working super well with some other modifications I did to my network

[@francoisblanc7705]

Lite off topic, but do you mind giving the reference of your case? As always good video and well explained.

[@makeitworktech]

Thanks! Yup, it's linked in the description! It's called "Pironman"

[@Jamby88]

Off topic - did you ever do anything with the Athom LED controller? I recall you were looking into them

[@makeitworktech]

What did you mean by "do anything"? I forget what I said I was gonna do haha

[@gnospanker]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the same internal chip as the Sonoff Stick (Texas Instruments CC1352/CC2652) without the external antenna? If so, isn't it possible that I'll be able to upgrade the firmware on the stick I already have to get all the same benefits that SkyConnect will give us? If I'm wrong I'll buy this 😂

[@makeitworktech]

No idea! That's something to ask in the HA discord channel and see what they say haha

[@shadician]

Is it okay to have this in a cupboard/behind something, or does it benefit from being out in the open?

[@makeitworktech]

Metal cupboard might be a problem, but wood should be fine!

[@the_DOS]

Would you buy the conbee or nortek zwave+zigbee? I like this skyconnect but matter is not important now. What do suggest is a better stick between the two?

[@makeitworktech]

I have used both, and no difference except that the Nortek gives you an extra radio. I use that on my main, and love it (USA only for the Z-Wave though). It doesn't work with zigbee2mqtt though

[@the_DOS]

@@makeitworktech thank you

[@ryan39584]

You can buy 2 hubs for the same price as one of these...

[@makeitworktech]

You gotta hook me up with those hub deals! I guess it depends on what kind of hub. Oh wait, are you referring to coordinators? In that case yes, but they won't run Thread and ZigBee, and aren't supported by home assistant updates

[@taranagnew436]

for 1st time ha users, do you recommend the skyconnect or yellow?

[@makeitworktech]

The Yellow, because you don't have to try installing HA yourself

[@cbcdesign001]

@@makeitworktech With chip shortages and Pi shortages, easier said than done.

[@makeitworktech]

True!

[@jakub.barzdo]

It is not connecting with TS0201

[@makeitworktech]

What is not connecting?

[@jakub.barzdo]

@@makeitworktech Trying to connect TS0201 temp/hum sensor with skyconnect dongle but it cant find it to pair on HA no matter what im trying :/

[@TechySpeaking]

first